Israel declares ‘offensive campaign against Hezbollah’
The Israeli army’s chief of staff, Eyal Zamir, made the announcement in a meeting after Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel, according to the country’s military.
“We have launched an offensive campaign against Hezbollah,” he was quoted as saying.
This comes as Lebanese authorities said that Israeli air attacks on the country have so far killed at least 31 people and wounded 149 others.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun issued a statement condemning Israeli strikes on Lebanon.
"We condemn Israeli attacks on Lebanese territory and warn that using Lebanon as a platform to support wars that do not concern us will once again put our country at risk," President Aoun said.
He also condemned strikes on Israel launched from Lebanese territory by the Lebanese radical movement Hezbollah, noting that they undermine the government's efforts to "keep Lebanon away from dangerous military clashes."
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Only 25% of Americans support US strikes on Iran
Only one in four Americans approves ?of the ?US strikes that killed Iran’s leader while about half – including one ?in four Republicans – believe President Donald Trump is too willing to use military ?force.
According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll, about 27 percent of respondents said they approved of the strikes, while 43 percent disapproved, and ?29 percent were not sure.
Some 56 percent of Americans surveyed said they think Trump, who also ordered strikes on Venezuela, ?Syria, and Nigeria in recent months, is too willing to use military force to advance US interests.
The vast ?majority of Democrats – 87 percent – held this view, as did ?23 percent of Republicans and 60 percent? of people who don’t identify with either political party.
The poll, which began on Saturday after the strikes ?got underway, gathered responses online from 1,282 US adults nationwide. It had a margin of ?error ?of three percentage points.
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Trump says he has agreed to talk to new Iranian leaders
The US president says the country’s new leadership wants to talk with his administration and that he plans to do so, according to an interview with The Atlantic magazine.
“They want to talk, and I have agreed to talk, so I will be talking to them,” he was quoted as saying by the magazine.
“They should have done it sooner. They should have given what was very practical and easy to do sooner. They waited too long,” he also said.
He did not comment on when the conversation will happen when asked, according to The Atlantic.
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Trump says 48 Iranian ‘leaders’ killed in US strikes
President Donald Trump says 48 Iranian leaders have been killed in the ongoing US-Israeli bombardments of the country.
“Nobody can believe the success we’re having; 48 leaders are gone in one shot. And it’s moving along rapidly,” Trump was quoted as saying in an interview with Fox News.
“We’re doing our job not just for us but for the world. And everything is ahead of schedule,” Trump was quoted as saying in a separate interview with CNBC. “Things are evolving in a very positive way right now, a very positive way.”
The interviews were conducted before the US military for the first time announced casualties in the war: three unidentified service members killed, five seriously wounded and several others lightly injured.
16:50
Here’s the latest on how many people have been killed in the Middle East since joint US-Israel attacks on Iran were launched on Saturday, AzerNEWS reports via Al-Jazeera:
15:00
Ship struck by ‘unknown projectile’ near Strait of Hormuz, UKMTO says
A ship near the Strait of Hormuz has been struck by an “unknown projectile”, the UK Maritime Trade Organisation (UKMTO) says.
A vessel north of Oman and east of the strait has been struck by an unknown projectile above the waterline, it said.
“Although the engine room was originally reported as on fire it has now been reported that the fire is under control,” read the statement published on X, adding that authorities are investigating.
It is the second incident the ?agency reports today after reporting ?an incident off Oman’s Kumzar in the Strait ?of Hormuz.
14:40
UKMTO warns of ‘significant military activity’ around Strait of Hormuz
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) says it is aware of “significant military activity” in the “Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, North Arabian Sea and the Strait of Hormuz”.
In its latest advisory, it said the maritime security environment in the region remains highly volatile, with ongoing regional military activity
adding to elevated threat to commercial shipping.
“There is significant military presence and activity across the region. Mariners should be aware of the increased risk of miscalculation or misidentification, particularly in proximity to military units and other sensitive maritime facilities and infrastructure,” it said.
“Claims regarding the closure of the Strait of Hormuz continue to circulate via open source reporting and VHF communications. No official closure of the Strait of Hormuz has been formally communicated to the maritime industry through recognised maritime safety channels,” UKMTO added, noting that “VHF communications indicating transit restrictions do not constitute a legally recognised suspension of transit passage under international maritime law”.
UKMTO also warmed there were threats beyond the Strait of Hormuz, including in areas such as the Bab al Mandab, where, it said, tensions remain “elevated”.
14:30
Alireza Arafi appointed to Iran’s leadership council
?Alireza ?Arafi, a religious leader on the Guardian Council, has been appointed to ?Iran’s leadership council, the body tasked with fulfilling the ?supreme leader’s role until the Assembly of Experts elects a new leader.
?Arafi will be ?part of the ?temporary leadership council alongside President Pezeshkian ?and Supreme Court Chief Justice Mohseni-Ejei.
Arafi, a 67-year-old cleric and member of the Guardian Council—the body responsible for vetting candidates for the leadership—was confirmed to this temporary role by the Expediency Council. He joins two other high-ranking officials on the council:
Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei: The hardline Judiciary Chief.
Masoud Pezeshkian: The President of Iran.
While these three hold the formal keys to governance, the true balance of power remains uncertain. Analysts are closely watching the IRGC and security veteran Ali Larijani, both of whom are expected to exert considerable influence over the transition process.
Chaos Within the IRGC
The military establishment is currently grappling with a leadership vacuum. The Commander-in-Chief of the IRGC has reportedly been assassinated—the second such high-profile killing in less than a year.
Key updates on the IRGC succession:
No formal successor has been named to lead the elite military and economic powerhouse.
Ahmad Vahidi, the current deputy chief appointed by Khamenei just two months ago, is being surfaced by IRGC-linked media as the primary candidate for the role.
Note: The dual pressure of a leadership transition and the decapitation of the IRGC’s top brass marks one of the most volatile periods in the Islamic Republic's recent history.
14:10
Pezeshkian says US, Israeli attacks an ‘open declaration of war against Muslims’
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was an “open declaration of war against Muslims”, particularly Shia.
“This tragic event is the greatest trial facing the Islamic world today,” he said in a written message offering condolences over the killing of the leader.
IEA monitoring events in the region and potential impact on markets
The International Energy Agency (IEA) is “actively” monitoring events in the Middle East and the potential implications for global energy markets and trade flows, its director general Fatih Birol has said on X.
“Markets have been well supplied to date,” Birol said, adding that he is in contact with ministers from major producers in the region.
****11:35
Iran confirms killing of defence minister, army chief of staff
The official IRNA agency says the Iranian army’s chief of staff, Abdul Rahim Mousavi, and Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh were killed in the US-Israeli attacks on Iran on Saturday.
As we’ve been reporting, Iran has also confirmed the killing of Khamenei and his security adviser, Ali Shamkhani, as well as IRGC commander-in-chief Mohammad Pakpour.
IRNA said more commanders of the armed forces were also killed and that their names will be announced later.
10:22
Iran to form temporary leadership council today, Larijani says
Ali Larijani, the secretary of Iran’s National Security Council, says the country will set up interim leadership council today.
It comes as a temporary measure before the successor of late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is selected.
10:09
Thousands of mourners have gathered in the historic Iranian city of Isfahan to pay tribute to the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
A video posted by Iran’s English-language state channel Press TV showed a large crowd of people protesting at the Naqsh-e-Jahan Square.
Earlier on Sunday, the government confirmed the death of Khamenei, following a joint US-Israeli strike in the capital Tehran on Saturday.
09:50
Trump warns Iran against hitting ‘very hard today’
Trump has just issued a new statement on his Truth Social media app, warning Iran against hitting back.
“Iran just stated that they are going to hit very hard today, harder than they have ever been hit before,” the US president wrote.
“They better not do that, however, because if they do, we will hit them with a force that has never been seen before!”
09:00
Iranian state media have confirmed that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed at his office in the Israeli-US attacks on Iran, following earlier reports of his killing by US and Israeli officials.
A 40-day mourning period for the longtime Iranian leader has been announced.
The Sunday confirmation comes after Iran’s Tasnim and Mehr news agencies initially reported that Khamenei remained “steadfast and firm in commanding the field”.
00:15
Reuters and several Israeli media outlets, citing unnamed senior Israeli officials, have reported that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed.
In response, the head of public relations at the Iranian Supreme Leader’s office dismissed the reports as “psychological warfare” carried out by Iran’s adversaries, according to Iranian state media.
Follow this page for further developments.
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19:24
The Tasnim news agency claims that three Israeli “Hermes”-type drones were shot down by Iran’s air defense system near Tabriz, Khomeini, and Ahvaz. According to the report, the drones were neutralized within Iranian airspace.
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18:34
Tonight, Israel will face a true hell. Let them prepare—they will witness a brutality and vengeance unlike anything they have seen before. We will fulfill our real, genuine promise. Israel will experience a tragedy it has never seen until now.
***
16:50
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Forces have placed 128 ballistic missiles on full combat alert at three military sites near Mashhad, Isfahan, and Khorramshahr. Reports indicate that the missiles are being maintained in a ready state to strike U.S. military bases in Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Kuwait, and Qatar. No precise information is yet available on when a potential fourth wave of strikes might occur, with only various claims and speculations circulating.
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16:36
Bahrain’s Interior Ministry reports that sirens are sounding across the country.
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16:33
The death toll at a girls’ primary school in Minab, southern Iran, has climbed to 40, according to state media reports. Earlier statements from a local governor had put the number of fatalities at 24 following the Israeli strike. Details regarding injuries or the circumstances of the attack remain limited, while emergency responders continue their efforts at the site.
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16:16
Several leading oil firms and trading companies have temporarily halted the transport of oil and fuel through the Strait of Hormuz following a morning exchange of fire involving Israel, Iran, and the United States.
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16:06
Iran’s army has reported that a wave of attack drones was launched toward Israel, according to . The military statement described it as the first major drone offensive carried out from Iran against Israel.
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15:59
Israel’s military says it has hit “hundreds of Iranian military targets,” including missile launchers, during airstrikes on western Iran. The statement added that the Israeli Air Force is actively working to intercept any retaliatory attacks launched by Iran.
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15:43
Based on satellite images, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's residence in has sustained damage from the strikes, with several buildings reportedly destroyed. His current location is unknown.
15:33
Earlier reports stated that an Israeli strike hit an elementary girls’ school in , in southern , killing five students.
According to Iran’s , the death toll has now risen to 24.
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15:26
Iran’s National Security Council has urged residents to evacuate the capital, Tehran.
In a statement, the council advised citizens to “relocate to other cities or regions if possible, while remaining calm,” given the current security situation.
Based on media reports, it appears that residents of have begun leaving the city.
***
15:14
The Israeli army is currently working to intercept a new wave of missiles launched from Iran, following sirens sounded across several parts of the country. The military urged the public to follow Home Front Command guidelines, noting that air defenses are not foolproof and remaining vigilant is essential.
***
14:44
14:37
According to Jerusalem Post, Iran fired about 125 missiles toward Israel, and roughly 35 of them crossed into Israeli airspace.
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14:31
Iran’s state news agency reported that an Israeli strike struck a girls’ elementary school in , located in in southern Iran. According to the report, five students were killed, while no injuries were recorded.
Meanwhile, in northern Israel, a nine-storey residential building was hit after Iranian missiles were intercepted, reported. A man in his 50s sustained minor injuries from shrapnel, and one apartment suffered significant damage.
***
14:23
Several members of the Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), also known as Hashd al-Shaabi, were reportedly killed after airstrikes targeted the Sakhar base southwest of Baghdad. The strikes, believed to have been carried out either by the U.S. Air Force or the Israeli Air Force, hit the PMU’s Jurf al-Sakhar facility in the same area.
***
14:12
Iraq has confirmed that several airstrikes hit a military base of an Iran-backed militia in Jurf al-Nasir, north of Babil, leaving two dead and three injured, according to Iraqi security sources.
Meanwhile, Jordan’s military reported intercepting two ballistic missiles, though it remains unclear who launched them.
***
14:07
Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates have reported missile attacks that targeted strategic sites, describing them as a direct threat to national security and civilian safety. Bahrain called the strikes “treacherous attacks” that flagrantly violated the kingdom’s sovereignty, according to Qatar’s news agency.
The UAE’s defence ministry confirmed that Iranian ballistic missiles were intercepted by air defences, but falling shrapnel in a residential area of Abu Dhabi caused material damage and claimed the life of one Asian national. The ministry condemned the attacks, calling them a dangerous escalation, a violation of international law, and a threat to civilian safety. Authorities emphasized that the UAE reserves the right to respond and is fully prepared to counter any further threats.
***
13:57
Iran has confirmed that it targeted several US military installations in the Gulf region. According to the Fars News Agency, the strikes were carried out against the following sites:
Al-Udeid Air Base, Qatar
Al-Salem Air Base, Kuwait
Al-Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates
A fifth US base in Bahrain
***
13:49
Explosions have been reported in Urmia, in western Iran, shortly after the Israeli army announced it had launched attacks in the region.
An Israeli military spokesperson issued evacuation warnings for all residents living near military installations in Iran.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that explosion sounds have also been heard in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, following earlier incidents in Kuwait, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. It is believed that critical military infrastructure linked to Iran in Saudi Arabia may have been targeted.
***
13:43
The Israeli military said it has carried out wide?ranging strikes against several Iranian military targets in western Iran.
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13:35
Iran has reiterated that while it is always open to dialogue, it remains fully prepared to defend itself.
According to a statement released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry, the country’s armed forces will respond with full force to any attacks.
The statement condemned the recent military airstrikes by Israel and the United States as a blatant violation of the United Nations Charter and an unmistakable armed attack on Iran. Tehran affirmed that, in response, it will employ all available means to defend itself, citing Article 51 of the UN Charter, which grants nations the right to self-defense.
Iran also called on the United Nations and the UN Security Council to fulfill their responsibilities in addressing violations of international peace and security.
The statement urged all UN member states—particularly those in the region, Muslim-majority nations, members of the Non-Aligned Movement, and countries that uphold international peace—to respond to the attacks and take steps to safeguard peace both regionally and globally.
***
Bahrain has confirmed that the headquarters of the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet was struck in a missile attack. Kuwait’s Ali Al-Salem Air Base and the National Security Agency were also targeted.
Additionally, the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier was hit in the Arabian Sea.
***
13:23
Reuters reports a loud explosion in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi. Al Jazeera Arabic also confirmed that explosions were heard in Kuwait.
Sirens have reportedly been activated in response, the report added.
***
13:14
An Israeli Navy submarine is seen departing Haifa port at high speed, with live footage being broadcast.
“Tomahawk” cruise missiles, launched from U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, are heading toward Iranian military targets.
B-52 bomber aircraft have been deployed over the United States.
One B-52 was observed flying at low altitude, moving from northwest Arkansas southward, appearing suddenly on radar.
***
13:10
Qatar’s Defence Ministry reports that a Patriot missile defence system successfully intercepted an Iranian missile.
Meanwhile, explosions are being reported in Bahrain.
Earlier, Bahrain’s Interior Ministry issued an emergency alert, advising citizens to move to the nearest safe location.
***
12:56
Iran’s IRGC has announced it has deployed missiles and drones targeting Israel in retaliation for recent US and Israeli actions.
“Following the hostile and criminal attacks against the Islamic Republic of Iran, the initial wave of widespread missile and drone strikes on the occupied territories has commenced,” the IRGC stated.
***
12:48
According to Iran’s media outlets, at least two explosions were heard in Tehran. Explosions occurred in the western and southern districts of Ilam city.
Air defence units were still engaging "hostile targets" in Tehran’s city centre and other areas.
***
12:41
Explosions have been reported in northern Israel as the country works to intercept incoming missiles fired from Iran, following a coordinated attack on Iranian targets by Israel and the United States.
The blasts occurred shortly after the Israeli military announced it was activating its air defense systems to intercept the incoming missiles.
The Israeli army also reported that an additional wave of missiles has been launched toward the country. There is no immediate information regarding casualties or damage from the ongoing attacks.
***
12:27
Iran is reportedly preparing to retaliate against Israel and deliver a "strong response," according to State TV.
***
12:22
Airstrikes have reportedly targeted Bandar Abbas in Iran, with the Iranian Navy believed to be the potential target of the attacks.
***
12:14
Tehran police say the situation is under control and urge residents not to panic. Citizens are advised to cooperate with traffic authorities and report any suspicious activity to the emergency hotline. Multiple airstrikes have targeted the city since early Saturday morning.
***
12:07
There have been no problems concerning Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to a statement from the Iranian Presidential Administration.
The statement confirmed that the president is in good health.
Reports in foreign media had suggested that the Iranian president might have been affected during the recent military airstrikes.
***
12:01
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on his "Truth Social" page that the United States has launched a large-scale operation against Iran.
He stated that the operation aims to protect the American people by neutralizing threats emanating from those in power in Iran. The President added that Tehran’s actions pose a direct threat to U.S. military bases stationed abroad.
Trump emphasized that Washington is no longer willing to tolerate such threats.
***
11:52
The United States is carrying out strikes on targets in Iran from both sea and air, according to the media outlets.
Sources indicate that the operation aims to disable Iran’s security apparatus.
***
11:29
Israeli security sources report that the operation is not solely an Israeli action, but rather a coordinated and joint strike carried out by Israel and the United States. Meanwhile, reports from the ground indicate widespread shock in the streets. The New York Times cites Iranian residents describing a profound sense of chaos and panic across the country.
***
11:25
Alongside the unfolding events in Tehran, Israel’s Mossad has carried out an unusual psychological operation, directly addressing the Iranian public.
A message was posted on the agency’s official social media accounts in both Persian and Hebrew, stating: "We are with you. Together, we will restore Iran to its days of glory. Stay safe."
***
11:15
The targets of the ongoing airstrikes carried out by Israel and the United States in Iran currently include Qom, Khorramabad, Isfahan, and Tehran.
In Qom, reports indicate that a nuclear facility has been hit. Explosions have also been heard in Tabriz, according to local sources.
***
11:11
A U.S. official told Al Jazeera that the recent attacks were conducted as part of a joint military operation with the United States, which has deployed a substantial fleet of fighter jets and warships to the region in an effort to pressure Iran into reaching an agreement on its nuclear program.
The Associated Press reported that the strike in Tehran targeted areas near the offices of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
According to local sources, Khamenei is not currently in Tehran and has been relocated to a secure location.
***
11:00
According to reports, the airstrikes targeted the Seyed Khandan district of Tehran, where the building of Iran’s Ministry of Defense is located.
Sources linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said that Mehrabad Airport in Tehran also came under attack. It was further reported that trading on the Tehran Stock Exchange had been suspended.
Iranian sources stated that large-scale cyberattacks began simultaneously with the missile strikes.
Multiple targeted assassination attempts were reportedly carried out across Iran, with each missile aimed at a specific objective. The Ministry of Intelligence was also said to have been attacked.
In Tehran, the Presidential building and a state complex were reportedly targeted. Israeli sources claimed that there was an assassination attempt against President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Mobile phone networks experienced disruptions in some areas of the Iranian capital, according to reports.
***
Israel has carried out a preemptive strike against Iran, AzerNEWS reports, citing Israeli media outlets.
The announcement was made by Defense Minister Israel Katz, who said the action was aimed at neutralizing threats against the country.
"The State of Israel has launched a preemptive strike against Iran in order to eliminate threats directed at Israel," Katz stated.
He added that an immediate nationwide state of emergency had been declared.
Air raid sirens were reported across parts of Israel following the announcement. The Israel Defense Forces Home Front Command urged civilians to remain close to bomb shelters and follow official safety instructions.
In a statement, authorities said that "due to the security situation," residents should verify the location of their nearest protective shelter and avoid non-essential travel until further notice.
The developments mark a significant escalation in tensions between Israel and Iran, raising concerns about broader regional instability.
